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Coming across an unusual bump in your body may give you bouts of anxiety until you see your doctor and find out it is just a benign tumour called lipoma. Going under the knife to remove lipoma is not usually necessary, but if it bothers you or becomes too big and starts paining, you may want to get it removed. Lipomas are prevalent between 40 and 60 but can emerge at any age.
This article is a detailed guide to Lipoma, its symptoms, causes and treatment. Read on to have an overview of this condition.
What is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a knot of tissue in a round or oval shape growing beneath the skin. It is made of fat and moves easily when touched. Lipomas can appear anywhere in the body but are most prevalent on the back, torso, shoulders, neck and arms. They are usually benign tissue tumours that don’t always cause pain or discomfort. Most lipomas don’t need treatment as they are non-cancerous and grow slowly. Your health expert may recommend a minor surgery if your lipoma bothers you.
Are Lipomas Common?
Lipomas are not highly common, but they occur in about 1 of every 1000 people. One can have it even at birth, affecting all genders, especially women.
Symptoms of Lipoma
Lipomas are usually painless but can cause discomfort if pressed against any nerve or develop near a joint. One may not notice any symptoms of lipomas. However, below are some signs that show you have a lipoma-
- They occur around the neck, back, abdomen, arms, thighs and shoulders.
- They move easily with slight pressure.
- They are usually 2 inches (5 centimetres) in diameter but can grow bigger.
- Lipomas can be painful if they grow and press on nearby nerves or if they have many blood vessels.
What Causes Lipoma?
Health experts aren’t sure about the causes of lipomas and their growth. You may develop lipoma if anyone in your family has or had one. However, a few conditions cause multiple lipomas in the body. The conditions are as follows-
Dercum’s Disease: This disorder causes painful lipomas, most often on the legs, and It’s also named Anders syndrome or adiposis dolorosa.
Gardner Syndrome: Also known as familial adenomatous polyposis causes lipomas and various health problems.
Hereditary Multiple Lipomatosis: Also called familial multiple lipomatosis, is passed down through a family history of lipomas.
Madelung’s Disease: This condition occurs in people who consume alcohol excessively. Also known as multiple symmetric lipomatosis, it causes lipomas to grow around the neck and shoulders.
Diagnosis of Lipoma
Your health expert will diagnose a lipoma with a physical examination. They will sense the area where you have lipoma and ask if it’s tender or painful. Your health expert may recommend getting a biopsy to confirm that the lipoma isn’t cancer by sending the piece to the lab for proper examination.
These are frequently misdiagnosed as cysts. Your clinician may prescribe an imaging test such as an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan to get a clear view of this tumour. These imaging investigations assist your clinician in determining if the mass is a lipoma or a cyst. It can also help you know the location of the lipoma, how deep it is if it has blood vessels, and whether it is pushing against nerves or other tissues.
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What are the Types of Lipomas?
Lipomas are formed of fat. Some lipomas contain blood vessels or other tissues as well. Lipomas are classified into various categories, including:
Angiolipoma- This kind is made up of fat and blood vessels. Angiolipomas are frequently uncomfortable.
Conventional- It is the most common form and comprises white fat cells, also called energy storage cells.
Fibrolipoma- This form of lipoma comprises fat and fibrous tissue.
Hibernoma- A kind of lipoma that has brown fat. The majority of other lipomas have white fat. Brown fat cells produce heat and aid in the regulation of body temperature.
Myelolipoma- This lipoma contains fat and areas that create blood cells.
Spindle Cell- The fat cells in this lipoma are longer but not wide.
Pleomorphic- lipomas have fat cells that vary in size and form.
What is the Treatment for Lipomas?
The majority of lipomas do not require treatment. If a lipoma bothers you, your doctor may surgically remove it. Lipoma removal is safe and successful surgery; you may generally go home the same day.
Liposuction may be recommended as an alternative to lipoma surgery to eliminate the lipoma. To remove fatty tissue from the growth, your physician will use a long, thin needle.
Does Your Health Insurance Cover Lipomas?
Most health insurance plans cover both benign and malignant tumours. Such health conditions are unforeseen, and you may fall prey to them anytime in your life. You may not require any surgical procedure as long as it is not life-threatening. If you feel it is bothering you or you feel any kind of discomfort, you can consult your doctor right away. Care Insurance’s Critical Illness Insurance plan covers you against 32 critical illnesses and ensures you don’t have to shell out your savings for hospitalisation and other treatment costs. So, buy yourself this exclusively tailored plan without any further ado and be stress-free during any planned or emergency hospitalisation.
Disclaimer: The information mentioned above is for reference purposes only. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of health concerns.
